Regulator



Nov. 9, 1948. H. ALExANDERsoN y REGULATOR Filed Aug. 24, 1\944 4 Shevets-Sheet 1 zEbunznu ...nur `v JumJunudurz.

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H. A. ALExANDERsoN I 2,453,653

REGULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1944 Malga DQ@ f,

' ATT/VEY Novu 9, 1948. H. A. ALExANDERsoN REGULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 24, 1944 l 'INVENOK HOM/drei A.A1Qxfvam5m NV- 9. 1948. H. A. ALExANDERsoN 2,453,653

A REGULATOR Filed Aug. 24., 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l O INIQNTOR'.V

v1Lamandar-.salz BY ATTE/@N57 at either of two anti-knock" regulator having novel scription in terms j not designed as a Patented Nov. 9, 1948 REGULATOR Howard A. Alexandcrson, signor to Bendix Aviatl boro. N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application August 24, 1944, Serial No. 551,036

s claim.' (ci. `12s-10a) The present invention relates to regulators and more particularly to novel means for controlling the air inlet pressure of a supercharged aircraft engineA so as to maintain the pressure thereof preselected absolute pressures.

During the operation lof so-called water" orV fluid injection systems for vsuppressing predetonation in internal combustion engines, an increase in the air inlet pressure of the induction system for the engine is permissible and desirable in order that 'greater engine power may be obtained than when such injection system is not in operation. Therefore, an object of the present inve'ntion is to provide a regulator responsive to operationof such an injection system for effecting a predetermined increase in the air pressure in the induction system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for shifting the setting thereof in response to an operating condition. t

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel regulator arranged to maintain the air inlet Wood-Ridge, N. J., ason Corporation, Teterl to any known typefsupercharger. however driven,

and to any type of throttle controlled engine,

and, where the claimsare directed to `liess than all of the elements disclosed,.they are intended ElV to cover possible uses of the recited elements in installations which lack the non-recited elements.

In the drawings, wherein reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views:

4Figure l isa schematic view illustrating the manner in which the regulator may be connected in operating relation in the induction and supplemental uid injection system for an aircraft engine. o

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

of a supercharged aircraft engine at a first pre- ,selected pressure value. when such supplemental `fluid injection system first novel means for adjusting the setting of the f minimum value at which the regulator will shift from one pressure setting to the other pressure setting.

Another object of the invention is to provide second novel means for adjusting the setting of the maximum reset pressure `oi the regulator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel assemblage whereby the ilrst and second adjustment means may be conveniently mounted one coaxial with the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel regulator for a supercharger.

These and other objects and features of the invention are pointed out. in the following deof the embodiment thereof which is shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose lof illustration only. and are definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.I

In interpreting the appendedclaims, .where they refer to a supercharger. they are to be construed as including application of the invention f erating lever lator. s

Figure 4 is a plan view of the oppositeend of the regulator from that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the piston.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown in dotted outline a typical radial aircraft engine I drivingly connected in a conventional manner to a supercharger 2. The supercharger '2 has provided conduits 3 discharging into the cylinder intakes of the engine I. vided with a carburetor indicated generally by numeral 4 operably connected by means of conduit 6 to the inlet of the supercharger 2. A conventional butterfly valve 6 is provided in the conduit 5. The valve 6 has the usual `operating lever 'l' positioned by a pllots control lever 8 through connecting rod 9. -A conduit Iii connects through an intercooler II the air inlet of the carburetor 4 to the outlet of a primary stage supercharger I2.V lThe supercharger l2 inay be drivingly connected through a shaft I3 to the aircraft enginei or to any other suitable driving means. A conduit I4 connects the inlet of the supercharger I2 to the atmosphere through a suitable air inlet member I5.

. A conventional butterfly valve I6 having an op- I'I is provided in the air inlet I4 for the supercharger I2. The lever I1 is operatively explained.

As -bestshown schematically in Figure 1, there is connected to the carburetor 4 a conduit |29 leading from a suitable source of fluid fuel for the air-l craft engine. There' is also provided a conduit 20 for injecting the fuel into the induction system through a nozzle 20A. There is further provided a conduit 2| for injecting into the induction sys- Figure 3 isa plan view of one end of theregu- The engine I is also proas will be hereinafter tem through nozzle 28A a supplemental orsocalled anti-knock fluid medium such as water,

water-alcohol or other suitable fluid well known in the art for suppressing predetonation of the engine I.

The -conduit 2| is connectedi to a suitable metering device shown in dotted outline and indicated generally by the numeral 22. The latter metering` device may be of any suitable type known in the art for determining the rate of flow of the supplemental fluid, and, since the herein invention resides in the regulator means rather than in the jmetering device, the same has been shown diagrammatlcally bythe outline indicated byy numeral 22.

A conduit 23 leads to the metering device 22 from a suitable source of supplemental fluid indicated by numeral 24. In the conduit 23, there is provided apump indicated by numeral 25' driven by a suitable power means not shown. The pump 25 supplies the fluid medium under pressure to the metering device 22. A valve 26 is provided ih the conduit 23 between the pump and metering device 2v2 for oil and "on control of the supplemental fluid injection system. The

control valve 26 may be of any suitable type, but is shown herein as of anelectromagnet controlled type having an electrical control circuit 21 and switch 28 which is preferably mounted within the aircraft cabin for convenient operation by the pilot. Thus the supplemental uid injection sys-v tem may be placed in operation by the pilot closing the switch 28 so as to effect-the openingl of the valve 26. Conversely, the valve 26 may be closed by opening the switch 28. A by-pass conduit 29 and relief valve 38 is provided for recirber 52 is closed in sealing relation by the end plate 42. Ports 55 open .from the interior of the member 52 into the interior of the bellows 41.

lThe conduit 3|, as best shown in Figure 1, connected at one end to the supplemental lluid supply conduit 23, is connected at the opposite end to a nipple 68 mounted in the end plate 42and opening into ay passage 6| leading into the interior of l the cup-shaped member 52,

A'second conduit 18 leads from the carburetor air inlet conduit |8 to a nipple 1| mounted in the side of casing 48. The nipple- 1| opens into a passage 12 formed in the wall of the casing 48 which in turn leads into a passage 13 formed in end plate 4|, and opening into the interior of bellows 45, as shown schematically in Figure 1.

A helical spring 88 is positioned within the bellows and has one end biased against the plate 58, while the opposite end of the spring 88 is held by an adjustable plate 8| afilxed to a longitudinally adjustable screw 82. The screw 82 is screw threadedly engaged in the end plate 4| and has an end cleft portion 83 projecting exteriorly from the plate 4| for convenient adjust-l ment. The end portion 83 of the screw 82 may be conveniently protected from accidental adjustment by a-suitable cap member- 84 screw threadedly engaged on the screw 82, as shown in Figure 2. A lock nut 85 is provided for securing the screw 82 in adjusted position. It will be readily seen that, by adjusting the screw 82 in the end plate 4|, the relative position of the plate 8| may be adjusted longitudinally so as to vary the tension exertedby the spring 88.

The bellows 46 is evacuated and has provided therein a second spring 90 interposed between culating the fluid medium from the pump outlet to the pump inlet at such times as the valve 26 is closed and the injection system is not in operation.

A conduit 3| is connected to the conduit 23 between the valve 26 and the metering device 22. The conduit 3| leads to the regulator I8 so that, during operation of the injection system, the regulator i8 is subject to the pressure of the supplemental iluid medium under force of the pump 25, as will be explained hereinafter. It will be readily seen, however, that, when the injection system is in operation, the fluid mediumv will exert through the conduit 3| a greater pressure under force of the pump 25 than when the injection system is not in operation.

The regulator/ I8, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a casing or housing 48 having end plates 4| and 42 fastened at opposite ends of the casing 48 by bolts 43 and 44, respectively. as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Positioned within the casing 48 and between the end plates 4| and 42 Aare three flexible walled 4cylinders or bellows 45, 46 and 41.

" other end of the bellows 46 and has the adjacent ends of bellows 46 and 41 securedabout the periphery thereof.

The opposite ends of bellows 41 are secured to the sides of a rigid cup-shaped member 52 having a flanged portion 53l which engages a raised portion54 projecting from the inner surface of the casing 48. The open end of the cup-shaped memthe end plates 58 and 5I and tending to bias the plate 58 so as to oppose the biasing forceexerted on the plate 58 by the spring 88. f'

The plate 5| has provided a novel support including a stem member 9| alxed to the plate 5| and having portions 92 and 93 projecting at opposite sides thereof into the bellows 46 and 41 re- I spectively.

The portion 93 engages one side of the plate 5|, while a tubular member 94 surrounds theportion 92 and is drawn into engaging relation with the other side of the plate 5| by a disk 95 fastened at the free end of the portion 92 by a rivet 96. The disk 95 is arranged to move freely within a strap 91 fastened at one end by a rivet member 98 to the plate 58. The strap 91 has a anged portion 99 provided at the other end arranged to engage the disk 95 at the extreme limit of movement of the plate 58 under the biasing force of the spring 98. Similarly, the screw 96 will engage the rivet member 98 to limit the movement of the plate 58 in the opposite direction under the biasing force of the spring 88 augmented by the biasing force of the pressure medium introduced into the bellows 45 through the conduit 18. Thus, the expansion and contraction of the bellows 45 and 46 may be limited within a safe range, so as to prevent under extreme pressure conditions the overtravel of a control valve |52 operably connected thereto.

The portion 93 of the stem 92 slides within a collar |88 projecting into the bellows 41 from the cup-shaped member 52. A screw threaded end |8| projects from the portion 93 and has screw threadedly engaged thereon a nut portion |82 having a flange |83 mounted at one end thereof. The opposite end of the nut portion |82 is. suitable recessed so as to receive partvof the portion 93 upon longitudinal adjustment of the i t ananas nut |02 in relation thereto.- V'I'he flange |00 oi the nut 02 is arranged to engage the inner surface o! the member 02so as to limit the movement of the plate upon expansion of the bellows 4'| under the biasing force of' a pressure medium therein, as will be explained.

. Movement of the plate 0| in an opposite direc tion as upon contracting of the bellows 4171s limited by the free end of the portion 0| contacting an4 adjacent end .|00 of an adjustable stem 0.

The adjustable stern ||0 is screw threadedly engaged in a sleeve portion of a stem I2 having a screw threaded end portion 3. The stem ||2 and sleeve portion are rotatably mount? ed in a sleeve ||4 which projects through the end plate 42. The sleeve ,||4 has provided at the inner end thereof a flange portion ||0which engages the inner surface oi' the end plate 42. Suitable screw threads H0 are provided on the outer surface of ,the sleeve ||4 for engagement by a suitable nut |`|1 which fastens the sleeve ||4 in the end plate 42 at the outer side thereof.

the portion ||3.and in contacting relation with the outer end of the sleeve ||4 so as to prevent inward longitudinal movement of the stem ||2 in relation to the sleeve ||4. A cleft portion |30 is provided at thev end of the stem ||2 while a hexagonal shapedV portion |3| is provided on the sleeve |l4, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2,

for facilitating rotary adjustment of the stem |I2 and sleeve ||4, as will be explained. A cover cap |32 is provided to prevent accidental adjustment oi' the sleeve ||4 and stem 2 and may be screw threadedly mounted on the threads I0.'

'A pin |40 is xedly mounted in the flange ||0 at the inner end of the sleeve ||4 and extends longitudinally into a suitable slot |4| formed in the flange |03 of the nut 02 so that the nut |02 maybe rotatably connected to the sleeve H4.`

Further, a plate |42 is ilxedly mounted at the free end of the adjustable stem ||0. The plate |42 has provided a suitable notch |43 in which is engaged the pin |40 so as to prevent relative rotary movement between the stem ||0 and' sleeve H4. i

From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that, by rotating the stem |l2 relative to thesleeve ||4 through means of a screw driver or other suitable tool operably engaged in the cleft |00,

the stem ||0 screw threadedly engage in they sleeve will move longitudinally since the same will be secured against rotary movement by the pin |40 carried by the sleeve ||4 which may bel held against rotary movement in any convenient manner. Thus, the position oi the end |08 of the stem- ||0 may be adjusted in relation to the end |00 oi' the stem |0| and accordingly the return or initial position of the plate 0 as shown in Figure 2, varied. 'i

Moreover, upon imparting a rotary movement to the sleeve ||4 in relation to the end plate 42 through means of a wrench or other suitable 6 means operably engaginf y l tion III. it will be seen that a corresponding rotary movement will be imparted through the pin |40 to the' nut |02 through the flange |03 and connecting slot I4I. Such rotary movement will cause the nut |02 to move longitudinally on the screw threaded portion |0| of the stem 0l. since the stem 0I is iixedly mounted on the plate 0 against a rotary movement relative thereto. Such longitudinal movement ol' the nut |02y will vary the position of thev flange |03 in relation to the inner surface of the cupshaped member` 02 and thereby provide means for adjusting the second or reset position of the plate 0I andk accordingly, through adjustment of the spring 00. the reset pressure setting oi the plate 00.

4Operably connected to the plate 50 is an'arm |00 which extends in rigid fashion exteriorly from the same. A link |5| connects the arm |00 to a control valve |02 slidably mounted in a'valve cylinder |02A closed by a suitable plug |52B.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, there is provided ,in the casing 40 a servo piston |53 slid- -ably positioned in a cylinder |04 having two ports H504 and |00 on opposite sides of said piston,`

through which ports iiuid .is caused to flow -whenever corresponding spaced covering portions |00 and |0I, respectively, of the control valve |102 are not in flow inhibiting relation thereto.

The operating fluid may be oil received from the engine oil supply by way of port |02 formed in a mounting pad |03.

The oil may be returned from cylinder |54 by l way of port |04 or |00 leading into the interior of the casing 40 from the valve cylinder |02A,

as thel case may be. whenever a shifting of the control valve |02 i'rom its neutral position causes one of said ports |04 or |05 to receive oil discharged from the cylinder |04. A port |00 formed in the mounting pad |03 carries the discharged oil 'from the interior of the casing 40 to a return conduit |01 leading to the engine oil sump.

As best shown in Figure 1, the cyl'nder |04 is closed by a suitable sealing plug |10 through which slidably projects a piston rod which ls opel-ably connected atv its free end by a link |12 to the operating lever |1 of the valve I0 for controlling the air inlet to the supercharger I2.

In the adjustment of the regulator i0 for operation. the stem ||2 is ilrst adjusted so as to pon sition the stem 03 and plate 0| in relation to the spring in such a manner that a shifting of the pla-te 0| to a second or reset posi-tion will be effected by the supplemental fluid carried by conduit 2| at a pressure indicative o! operation ol the supplemental fluid injection system.

Second, the `spring 00 may then be adjusted through operation of the stem 82 so that the bellows and 4-0 forming a carburetor air inlet boost control may cause the plate 50 to assume a neutral position inrelation to the control valve |02. when the carburetor air inlet pressure acting within the bellows is at the predetermined 'low pressure value and the plate 0|' is at the position normally assumed when the supplemental fluid injection system is not in operation.

Finally, the sleeve |I4 may then be adjusted so as "to position the flange |03 of the nut |02 the hexagonal porwi-ll cause `the plate 50 to assume a neutral posi- Y bellows responsive to a second operation condiboost control tion in relation to the control valve |52 when the carburetor air inlet pressure acting within the bellows 45 is at the predetermined increased presl sure value desired during operation of the supplemental fluid injection system. A

In the operation of the regulator I8, it will be seen that, during normal operation, an increase in the pressure at the air inlet to the carburetor above the -predetermined value will cause the bel- 45 to shift the plate 50 to the left, shifting the control valve |5| to the position shown in Figure 1 and actuating the servo piston to the right, tending to close the valve I6 to the supercharger inlet and thereby decreasing the pressure in thecarburetor air inlet i until the valve |5| is returned to a neutral position. A decrease in the carburetor inlet pressure below the` predetermined value will effect an opposite adjustment of the valve i6 and increasethe pressure at the carburetor air inlet. Thus,.whilethe altitude of the aircraft or other operating conditions of the aircraft may vary effecting the induction pressure,

the regulator i8 will tend to readjust the valve I6 so as to maintain such pressure at a substantially constant value.

Upon initiating the operation ofthe supplemental fluid injection system by opening the valve 26, a. fluid medium will be supplied the conduit 23 under pressure of the pump 25, whereupon the fluid pressure supplied the regulator I8 through the conduit 3| will'be increased, effecting an expansion of the bellows 41 and the shifting of the plate 5| from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to -a second position to the right, as determined by the adjustment of the flange |03, and thereby Ichanging the datum or setting of the boost control, bellows 45 and 46. Thus, such an adjustment of the plate 5| will cause a corresponding adjustment through the spring 80 of the plate 50 and valve t-|5|, causing the piston |53 to be adjusted to left and opening the valve i6 until the pressure withinthe carburetor air inlet conduit I has been increased to such a. value as to bias the plate to the left so as -to return the valve |5| to a neutralA position. The bellows 45 and 46 will then tend to maintain the pressure at the latter reset value. The said increased boost pressure will permit greater engine power to be obtained during operation of the supplemental fluid injection system than would be otherwise possible.

However, upon the operation of the supplemental iiuld injection system being discontinued, the pressure supplied the bellows l41 through'the conduit 3| will be decreased, whereupon the spring 90 will return the plate 5I to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the pressure setting or datum of the boost control 45 and 46 will once again resume the-normal value for the iirst position.

Although only one embodiment of the-invention has been illustrated and described, various changes in the form and relative arrangement of the parts, which will now appear to those skilled in the art, may be m-ade without departing from the scope of the invention. lReference is, therefore, to be had to the appended claims for a deflnition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A regulator for the induction system supercharged aircraft engine comprising, in combination, a iirst bellows responsive to a iirstinduction pressure condition oi the engine. a second tion of the engine, spring biasing means ,interposed between said rst and second bellows for biasing said bellows in opposite directions, control means operated by said iirst bellows in response to said rst condition, and said second bellows adjusting the .biasing force of said spring means from a rst to a second predetermined value in vresponse to said second condition so as to vary the datum of said second rst bellows and the setting of said control means.

2. In a regulator for the induction system of a supercharged aircraft engine of the type including a carburetor for supplying a combustible mixture to said engine, and operable means for injecting a supplemental fluid for suppressing predetonation of said engine; and said regulator including a boost control means for regulating said induction system so as to maintain the pressure thereof at a predetermined constant value; the improvement comprising means responsive to operation of said fluid injecting means for opera-ting said boost control means so'as to change said predetermined constant value from a rst to a second selected value, and manuallycperable means for' adjusting said iirst and second selected values.

3. A regulator comprising in combination, a casing, a rst, second and third bellows connected in series within said casing, first conduit means for supplying a rst iiuid medium to the interior Y of said first bellows, second conduit means for supplying a. second uid medium to the interidr of said third bellows, the second bellows being evacuated and positioned between said first and third bellows, spring means positioned within said second bellows and biasing said second bellows in a direction opposing the biasing force of the fluid medium within saidilrst and third-bellows, control means operated by said iirst bellows, and-said third bellows adjusting the biasing force exerted upon said first bellows vby said spring means in response to the biasing force of said second fluid medium so as to change the position of the control means operated by said rst bellows.

4. A regulator comprising in combination, a casing, a iirst, second and third bellows connected in series within said casing, iirst conduit means for supplying 'a rst fluid medium to the interior of said rst bellows, second conduit means for supplying a second fluid medium to the interior oi' said third bellows, the second bellows being evacuated and positioned between said iirst and third bellows, spring means positioned within said second bellows and biasing said second bellows in a direction opposing the biasing force of the uid medium within said first and third bellows, said rst bellows being arranged so as to operate a control means, said third bellows adjustable from a rst to a'. second position in response to said second fluid medium for changing the biasing force exerted upon said first bellows by said spring means, a first adjustable member mounted in said casing for varying said first position, and a second adjustable member mounted in said casing for varying said second position.

5. A regulator comprising in combination, a casing, a first, secondland third bellows connected in series within said casing, ilrst conduit means for supplying a rst iiuid medium to the interior of said first bellows, second conduit means for supplying a second uid medium to the interior of said third bellows, the second bellows being evacuated and positioned between said first and third bellows, spring means positioned within said second bellows and biasing said second bellows in a direction opposing the biasing force of the fluid medium within saidy first and third bellows, said iirst bellows being arranged so as to operate a control means, said third bellows adjustable from a first to a second position in response to said second fluid medium for changing the biasing force exertedupon said first bellows by said spring means. a iirst rotatable means mounted in said casing for varying said first position, a second rotatable means mounted on said first rotatable member and coaxial therewith forvarylng said evacuated and positionedbetween said first and third bellows, spring means positioned within said second bellows and biasing said second bellows in a direction opposing the biasing force of the fluid means within said first and third bellows, said first bellows being arranged so as to operate a control means, said third bellows adjustable from a first .to a second position in response to said second fluid medium for changing the biasing force exerted upon said rst bellows by said spring means,

a first rotatable member mounted in said casing,

a second rotatable member mounted on said first rotatable member coaxial therewith, a pin carried by said second member, an adjustment nut for varying said second position of said third bellows,

said adjustment nut interconnected with said second rotatable member through said pin, a stem screw threadedly carried by said first member and held from rotation relative to said second member by said pin, whereby, upon rotation of said first member, longitudinal movement is imparted to said stem for varying said first position of said third bellows.

7. The combination, comprising a supporting means, a first rotatable member carried by said supporting means, a second member rotatable independently of said rst member, said second member rotatably mounted on said first rotatable member coaxial therewith, a third rotatable member for varying the limit of movement in one direction of an adjustable element, means interconnecting said third member with said second rotatable member, a fourth member screw threadedly carried by said first rotatable member and held from rotation relative to said second member by said interconnecting means, whereby, upon rotation of said rst rotatable member longitudinal movement is imparted to said fourth member for varying the limit of movement of said adjustable element in another direction.

8. For use with the induction system of a supercharged aircraft engine having a carburetor for supplying a combustible mixture to said engine, and operable means for injecting a supplemental fluid for suppressing predetonation of said engine; a boost control for regulating said induction system soas to maintain the pressure thereof at a predetermined constant value, means responsive to operation of said fluid injection means for operating said boost control so as to change said predetermined constant value'from a first to a second selected value, a first adjustable member to vary said ilrst selected value, and a second adjustable member to vary said second selected value so that said first and second selected values may be independently adjusted.

HOWARD A. ALEXANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,031,527 Dodson Feb, 18, 1936 2,059,042 Schweller Oct. 27, 1936 2,170,974 4Parkins Aug. 29, 1939 2,216,699 Berger Oct.. 1, 1940v 2,217,364 Halford et al. Oct.. 8, 1940 2,233,307 Dodson Feb. 25, 1941 2,233,319 Lozlvit et al Feb. 25, 1941 2,243,627 Gregg May 127, A1941 2,248,780 Pierce July 8, 1941 2,305,070 Butler et al Dec. 15, 1942 2,392,565 Anderson Jan. 8,1946

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 419,920 Great Britain Nov. 21, 1934 113,026 Australia May 2, 1941 537,026l Great Britain June 5, 1941 

